You become eligible at age 65. Your initial enrollment period for Medicare begins three months before your birth month and lasts three months after.

This is not to be confused with Medicare open enrollment, or annual enrollment period, which is a window from October 15 to December 7 every year. During this time you can reevaluate your coverage and make changes if you need.

If you are under the age of 65 but are enrolled in Medicare because you are receiving Social Security benefits, you’ll get Medicare on your 25th month of disability. Once your Part B benefits become active, that is when your seven-month window will begin.

Medigap plans in Oxford

There are “gaps” in Original Medicare’s coverage, or things that you must pay because Medicare does not. These are usually deductibles and copays, but there are other leftover costs Medicare leaves behind. This is where a Medigap plan comes into play.

Costs covered by may Medigap include:

Coinsurance and hospital costs after Part A’s deductible

First three pints of blood for a blood transfusion

Hospice care

Skilled nursing facility care

Medicare Part A deductible

Part B deductible

Part B excess charges (the difference between the amount a doctor can charge and Medicare-approved amount)

Medical costs incurred while traveling outside of US

And some plans put a cap on the amount of out-of-pocket costs associated with Medicare.

Open enrollment for a Medicare supplement begins the first day you are 65 and enrolled in Medicare Part B and lasts six months after.

This is the best time to get a Medigap plan because you are allowed to enroll without answering any health questions and it is a guaranteed issue.

You are allowed to enroll in a Medicare Supplement at any time once you are enrolled in Part B, but you will be subject to health questions after open enrollment is over.

If you are under the age of 65 but are enrolled in Medicare, be sure to give us a call to check your eligibility.

Medicare Part D plans in Oxford

Medicare plans in Oxford do not cover prescription drugs unless you have a Part D plan with it.

Each Part D plan must give a standard level of coverage set by Medicare. Plans include a list of drugs they cover, called a formulary, and if any changes are made to it, the provider is required to send you a notice.